18 Craving

Haruna knew that many in Konoha admired Kakashi.

While working at the shop, she would occasionally hear villagers gossiping about those dazzling ninja lords. Kakashi was the most sought-after among the young shinobi. He was a hero of the Third Great Ninja War, trusted by the Hokage, possessed formidable strength and a high income, and carried himself with an effortless grace. Even Miss Ayame of Ichiraku Ramen would blush whenever customers gossiped about him. She once whispered that she had seen the Jonin’s face beneath his mask and that he was incredibly handsome. The young girls surrounding her immediately let out low, excited squeals.

Haruna, who was busy clearing bowls at the time, simply lowered her head and secretly curled her lip. *He has a terrible temper; being married to someone like that wouldn’t bring any happiness. You’d probably just end up a victim of domestic abuse.*

Haruna never hated anyone; in this world, the only person she truly despised was Kakashi Hatake. As for Orochimaru, that was pure loathing. But her resentment felt dim and insignificant compared to the overwhelming adoration others showered upon Kakashi. Because Haruna was a nobody, even her deepest hatred went unnoticed by everyone.

Fortunately, as of today, no one could ignore her "deepest hatred" anymore—including Kakashi himself.

"I am sorry," the silver-haired young man said softly. "My abilities were insufficient, and my perspective was too narrow. I failed to truly discover your talent."

...His tone was surprisingly sincere. Unlike Naruto, what was the point of apologizing now? Seeing that Kakashi was not resisting or fighting back, the young girl swallowed the mocking words on her tongue and said dryly, "It’s fine."

Kakashi knew it was far from fine, but with Guy nearby, it wasn't the time to say more. Later, he asked where Haruna had acquired her new abilities. Kakashi wasn't suspicious of much, only worried that she might have obtained secret techniques from some twisted individual—such as a certain bandaged, one-eyed, skulking old man—which might have caused her irreparable harm.

Haruna claimed it was a gift from the "Sky Curtain," spinning a reason that was just plausible enough to save face.

Kakashi replied, "I see."

Might Guy’s suspicious gaze shifted between the two of them. Was the atmosphere strange? Were they... sulking at each other? Guy understood Kakashi well; his friend didn't usually act like this with others. In fact, the silver-haired man was typically lazy and unmotivated toward everyone. Admirers, enemies, friends—the look he gave them was no different from the one he gave his *Make-Out Tactics* novels. He appeared gentle and easygoing, but in reality, he was profoundly indifferent.

Yet, this was the first time Guy had seen a girl holding a grudge against Kakashi, or Kakashi acting so clumsy while trying to make conversation. The dark, damp atmosphere surrounding them, heavy as a wrung-out rag, was so suffocating that even Guy dared not interject. *Does this feel a bit like the world of the Sky Curtain? Stop, stop, stop—I dare not think it.* Thinking such things could get you killed!

In short, Guy had a gut feeling that their relationship was far from distant. *I should find an opportunity to warn Kakashi in private,* Guy thought with worry. Haruna was Naruto’s future wife and was at a youthful age; as older men, they needed to maintain appropriate social distance. *Don't make a mistake, Kakashi! Naruto is the son of your teacher! Your student!*

Kakashi was naturally unaware of the absurd thoughts running through Guy’s mind. "It is a good thing you have the talent to practice the Eight Inner Gates. But the training is incredibly grueling, and you..." Seeing Haruna staring off into the distance, feigning disinterest, he sighed inwardly, knowing she didn't like listening to him. "In any case, I will keep your new abilities a secret. This may well become one of our trump cards for the plans ahead."

...He said it wasn't important. But after witnessing Haruna’s training, even Kakashi was left speechless. He had never seen such an absolute "genius."

That was right; Haruna was truly a genius. The Eight Inner Gates was an S-rank ninjutsu, notorious for its extreme difficulty and severe side effects. Its power was unquestionable, so much so that the Second Hokage had once considered assembling a tactical squad specifically for it. Yet, over the decades, those in Konoha who could master it were few and far between. Kakashi had once learned the first gate as a hobby; he was exceptionally talented, so it hadn't been difficult. But even having mastered only the first gate, he understood just how arduous and profound this secret technique was.

Effort and endurance were rarer and more precious talents than mere intelligence. Even Itachi Uchiha, the most gifted ninja he had ever seen, would likely have frowned at the prospect of training in the Eight Inner Gates. And yet, this brown-haired girl, once considered hopelessly mediocre and ignored by everyone, had done it.

She didn't need to understand the principles of the technique, didn't need to manage or control her chakra, and didn't even need to practice in the traditional sense. Haruna’s method of training taijutsu was incredibly simple: no matter the technique, just start with the legs. Because as long as she channeled chakra into her legs and initiated the movements of the Eight Inner Gates, her body would naturally eliminate all obstacles.

Kakashi watched with his own eyes as she delivered a light kick, shattering a boulder the size of a person into pieces! The *bang* of the explosion was heart-stopping. After shattering it, the girl even muttered a casual "Whoa."

*What is she "whoaing" about? Is this even reasonable? This is not ninjutsu at all!* Compared to the speed at which Haruna mastered the Eight Inner Gates, Kakashi felt as though he were an underdeveloped monkey.

Haruna’s only drawback was her inability to maintain it consistently, usually limited to a few minutes a day. If she could master the Eight Inner Gates painlessly and skillfully, even without opening the Gate of Death, she would be more than enough to qualify as an elite Jonin. Seeing Guy praising her repeatedly, Kakashi couldn't help but fall silent. *If I hadn't been so narrow-minded back then, if I had been willing to look at Haruna properly... how might the future have changed?*

*

In an instant, the countdown of the Sky Curtain reached its final day. Haruna and Naruto’s "Affection Meter" had successfully filled up before the deadline. The atmosphere throughout Konoha was extremely tense; judging by the behavior of the villagers, it felt as if the Fourth Great Ninja War could erupt at any moment.

And it might. Haruna felt that the Sky Curtain might just reveal the mastermind behind the Fourth Great Ninja War. In this oppressive atmosphere, Might Guy knocked on her door early the next morning. It was barely dawn, and the bowl-cut Jonin said one sentence that instantly jolted her from her drowsiness: "Orochimaru has entered the village. The Hokage and Kakashi have gone to meet him and initiate a capture operation."

Might Guy added concisely, "We are to begin executing the emergency plan."

Orochimaru. The cold name that had become a nightmare, lingering in her heart. He was the culprit who had ruined all her futures, the S-rank missing-nin from Konoha wanted by the Five Great Nations. And he had audaciously disguised himself as the Fourth Kazekage to infiltrate Konoha. He knew the Sky Curtain had exposed all his plans and that his allies had turned against him. *What is this guy so arrogant about? Does he still have a hidden card to play?*

Yet, for some reason, the girl didn't feel much fear. Instead, there was a sense of relief—the feeling that what was meant to come, had finally arrived. It was like finishing two years of exhausting remedial study, only to find that your instructor for the third year was Kakashi again.

Looking at the words [Obsession Mission (Incomplete)] on her dashboard, Haruna closed her eyes slightly. When she opened them again, her expression was clear and calm. "Good. Let us move."

The storm was coming. The final test of fate had finally descended upon her. She would succeed. This time, she would definitely change her fate.

*

Fate cannot be changed. Because she was such a selfish, dark person. Haruna thought, devoid of emotion. She looked down, scrutinizing her husband’s face.

Naruto Uzumaki had double eyelids and thick lashes, giving his eyes a bright, deep appearance. When his expression turned serious, he possessed an extraordinary, indomitable spirit. Resolute and positive, he was as dazzling as the sun and held unparalleled charm.

But she was more obsessed with the suffering of a hero. She could only confirm the meaning of her existence through his pain, and even now, she felt the need to ask hypocritically: "Why do you insist on blaming yourself like this? Don't tell me you love me?"

She regretted saying it the moment it left her lips, but it was immediately followed by a fierce, reckless sense of release. *So what if I said it?* If he denied it or remained silent, that would be for the best; she could just counter-attack—

"Yes." The blond youth’s voice was firm, without a moment’s hesitation. "I love you."

"..."

"If you need me to say it, then I have always loved you, and I will love you forever."

She, who had been slightly stunned, seized upon this moment to mock him. "Isn't 'speaking your mind' your ninja way? How did you learn to lie now?"

"This is the truth."

"You didn't say it before because you loathed me and didn't want to listen," Naruto said. "I'm saying it now because I believe I have to."

Naruto Uzumaki possessed a miraculous intuition that had helped him snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in many battles. But this intuition was always ineffective when it came to Haruna. When he was with Haruna, he could only feel her avoidance, her weariness, her distance, and her coldness. She never asked if he loved her or not; she cared nothing for it.

But it was different now. Haruna’s emotions were extreme, and her mental state was fragile. In such a moment, there was no way he could say he didn't love her or remain silent.

*I love you, I have always loved you, I will love you forever.* He had buried these words deep in his heart, never daring to speak them, fearing it would only invite more of her disgust. It felt wrong to say this when she was in such pain, but Naruto was truly happy. Because until this very moment, he finally had the chance to express his feelings.

So what if "speaking his mind" was his ninja way? Haruna was not his enemy; she was the most unique existence in the world. Naruto Uzumaki could never disregard her feelings to "speak his mind" recklessly.

This was marriage and love. His life would forever be fused with another, becoming bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Naruto Uzumaki’s "self" would forever be with her.

Hearing this, Haruna’s gaze was like a sharp, thin blade, wanting to peel back Naruto’s skin and interrogate the truth of his flesh and blood. Then, she reached a conclusion.

"Liar."

The familiar sense of shame that tortured her every time she wavered rose once more, anger licking at her heart. "Lying again." Since everything was to be laid bare tonight, she might as well tear away all pretense and trample it into the dirt.

"Look at them and say it again—say you love me!" Haruna pointed to her own legs. Her usually cold, silent eyes were now burning with a terrifying light. She was searing her remaining dignity and suppressed anger all at once. Separating them were those scarred, powerless legs, the ugly marks serving as a constant reminder.

"Say it!"

She would not cry. In front of Naruto Uzumaki, Haruna would never cry; she hated him too much. And the scene she hated most appeared once again: Naruto’s eyes shifted, and a complex expression appeared on his face. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and he actually recoiled, making as if to stand up.

???

It was the *exact same* as that night! What exactly had he changed? This man kept talking about love, but what exactly was he loving?